Portable chemical spill control device

ABSTRACT

A portable chemical spill control device includes an expansive sheet of material (preferably multiple layers that include at least one layer of absorbent material) and having upper and lower surfaces and a periphery that defines a circumference. The sheet of material is of a material that is resistant to fluid attacks so that spills deposited upon the upper surface are contained on the upper surface. A peripheral bead includes a foldable portion that extends around the expansive sheet of material, the bead including an elongated tensile member and a folded portion that holds the elongated tensile member to the absorbent sheet of material. A connection joins the peripheral bead to the expansive sheet of absorbent material in a configuration that envelops the tensile member with the foldable portion. The elongated tensile member can be moved between open and folded positions wherein the tensile member subjects the expansive sheet of material to tension in an open position that maximizes its circumference, and wherein in the folded position the tensile member folds to provide multiple loops.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/502,997, filed Sep. 15, 2003, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. ______, filed Sep. 13, 2004 and entitled “Portable Chemical Spill Control Device.”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to portable chemical spill control devices in the form of a foldable mat that can be positioned under a selected vehicle such as a truck, van, forklift or the like. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved foldable portable chemical spill control device that features a central absorbent cushion having an extended position periphery that contains a spring (preferably a spring steel rod) wherein the spring steel rod enables the device to be folded into a smaller package that is defined by multiple circular wraps of the spring steel rods.

2. General Background of the Invention

Many vehicles carry fluid that can inadvertently leak with the vehicle is parked. Common examples include trucks, vans, automobiles, motorcycles, forklifts, construction equipment, earth movers and other equipment. Such devices can leak materials that are hazardous to the environment such as oil, gasoline, power steering fluid, grease, gear oil, brake fluid and the like.

Patents have been issued for spill control devices in the form of a mat that can be positioned under a selected vehicle, truck, van, forklift or the like.

Examples of such patents are listed in the following table: PATENT NUMBER TITLE ISSUE DATE 3,722,626 CAR PORT OIL DRIP Mar. 27, 1973 MAT 4,801,005 OIL DRIPPING Jan. 31, 1989 ABSORPTION AND CONTAINMENT KIT 5,080,956 OIL ABSORBENT MAT Jan. 14, 1992 WITH SPILL CHANNELING MEANS 5,597,418 METHOD OF MAKING Jan. 28, 1997 FOLDABLE MAT FOR ABSORBING LIQUIDS 5,834,104 FLUID ABSORPTION MAT Nov. 10, 1998 RE37,295 E WATER AND/OR OIL Jul. 24, 2001 IMPERMEABLE SEALING MAT CONSISTING SUBSTANTIALLY OF A SUBSTRATE LAYER, A LAYER OF SWELLABLE CLAY AND A COVER LAYER 6,439,492 VEHICULAR FLUID Aug. 27, 2002 ABSORBENT PAD 6,451,405 OIL TARP ASSEMBLY Sep. 17, 2002 FOR HEAVY MACHINERY 6,475,594 SORBENT MAT ASSEMBLY Nov. 5, 2002

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved portable chemical spill control device that includes an expansive sheet of material having upper and lower surfaces and a periphery. The sheet of material is resistant to chemical fluid attack so that spills deposited upon the surface are contained on the upper surface. The sheet of material can be of multiple layers, preferably an absorbent layer and a fluid impervious layer (such layers are commercially available, for example from Dupont).

A peripheral bead can include a foldable portion that extends around the expansive sheet of material at its periphery, the bead including an elongated tensile member and a portion (e.g. folder portion) that holds or contains the elongated tensile member.

A connection joins the peripheral bead to the expansive sheet of material in a configuration that can envelop the tensile member with the foldable portion.

The elongated tensile member can be moved between open and folded positions, wherein the tensile member subjects the expansive sheet of material to tension in the open position and maximizes its circumference. In the folded position, the tensile member can be folded to provide multiple loops.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially cut away view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken alone lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a cross section edge detail;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 is another perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6-9 are sequential views illustrating a folding detail for the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-5 show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1. Spill control apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 4 being positioned under a motor vehicle 11. In FIG. 5 it is shown positioned under a forklift 12. The apparatus 10 of the present invention can be used to contain hazardous fluids that may leak or drip from any other vehicle such as a truck, van, ambulance or other emergency, work, passenger, or rescue vehicle.

The apparatus 10 includes a layered center 13 surrounded by edging material 15. The layered center 13 is comprised of a porous, absorbent layer 14 a and a fluid impervious layer 14 b. The absorbent material 14 a is preferably a sheet of material that absorbs substances that fall upon its upper surface 28. Examples of suitable absorbent material are polypropylene and polypropylene-universal. The layer 14 a can be any material that can absorb and hold fluids that typically drip or leak from a motor vehicle. Other examples include an absorbent polymeric material, one or more layers of a fabric material that is not flammable, or any other material that will safely absorb and hold fluids such as gasoline, motor oil, transmission oil, gear oil or any fluid used in a motor vehicle. The layer 14 b is preferably a liquid impervious layer that is substantially impervious to the fluids that typically drip or leak from a motor vehicle, such as for example, a several mil thick polymeric layer (for example, a polypropylene layer).

Edging material 15 envelops spring steel rod or strip 16. Rod 16 can be an elongated rod that is joined at joint 17 using butt connector 19 (see FIG. 3). Butt connector 19 can be provided with sockets 20 that receive an end portion of spring steel rod 16 in each of the sockets 20 as shown in FIG. 3. Stitching 18 can be used to attach edging material 15 to layered center 13 while enveloping spring steel rod 16 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. A space 26 is surrounded by edging material 15 and stitching 18. Rod or strip 16 occupies a part of space 26. Stitching 18 extends through both layers 14 a, 14 b and a pair of opposed flaps 35, 36 of edging material 15 (see FIG. 2).

In FIG. 1, an expanded position of the apparatus 10 is shown wherein the layered center 13 is at its maximum length 29 and maximum width 30. In FIG. 1, the numeral 22 indicates schematically the extended periphery of spill control apparatus 10. One or more lanyards 21 can be attached to edging material 15 for enabling a user to withdraw spill control apparatus 10 from its operating position under a vehicle 11 or 12.

FIGS. 6-9 show a folding detail for folding apparatus 10 beginning at the extended or expanded position in FIG. 6 and continuing until a folded position of FIGS. 8-9 is achieved having folded diameter 27 and folded outer periphery 31. In order to fold the apparatus, the end portion 32 is rotated relative to the end portion 33 as indicated by the arrow 23 in FIG. 6. End portions 32, 33 are then folded upon one another as shown in FIGS. 7-8 and as indicated by arrow 24. In FIG. 8, arrow 25 indicates that the apparatus 10 with end portions 32, 33 folded upon one another can be stored in bag 34. The finished folded rounded shape is comprised of a plurality of loops of spring steel rod or strip 16 as shown in FIGS. 8-9 having a periphery 31, of reduced diameter 27.

Parts List:

The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

Parts Number Description

-   -   10 spill control apparatus     -   11 vehicle     -   12 forklift     -   13 layered center     -   14 a layer     -   14 b layer     -   15 edging material     -   16 spring steel rod     -   17 joint     -   18 stitching     -   19 butt connector     -   20 socket     -   21 lanyard     -   22 periphery extended     -   23 arrow     -   24 arrow     -   25 arrow     -   26 space     -   27 folded diameter     -   28 upper surface     -   29 length     -   30 width     -   31 periphery     -   32 end     -   33 end     -   34 storage bag     -   35 flap     -   36 flap

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims. 

1. A portable chemical spill control device, comprising: (a) an expansive multi-layered sheet of material having at least one layer of absorbent material and having upper and lower surfaces and a periphery that defines a circumference, the sheet of material being resistant to chemical fluid attack so that spills deposited upon the upper surface are contained on the upper surface; (b) a peripheral bead that includes a foldable portion that extends around the expansive sheet of material, said bead including an elongated tensile member and a folded portion that holds the elongated tensile member to the absorbent sheet of material; (c) a connection that joins the peripheral bead to the expansive sheet of material in a configuration that envelops the tensile member with the foldable portion; (d) wherein the elongated tensile member can be moved between “open” and “folded” portions, wherein the tensile member subjects the expansive sheet of material to tension in said open position that maximizes the circumference of the expansive sheet of material, and wherein in said folded position the tensile member folds to provide multiple loops positioned next to each other and generally abutting.
 2. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 1 wherein the tensile member is of a metal material.
 3. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 2 wherein the tensile member is steel.
 4. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 1 wherein the expansive sheet of material includes a layer of polypropylene material.
 5. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 1 wherein the connection includes stitching.
 6. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 3 wherein the tensile member is a spring steel strip of material.
 7. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 4 wherein the sheet of material includes a layer of a polypropylene-universal material.
 8. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 1 wherein the layers include a layer that includes polymeric material.
 9. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 1 wherein the layers include at least one polymeric layer.
 10. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 1 wherein the layers include at least one polymeric absorbent layer.
 11. A portable chemical spill control device, comprising: (a) an expansive multi-layered sheet of material having a layer that is absorbent and one layer that is substantially fluid impervious, the sheet of material having upper and lower surfaces and a periphery that defines a circumference, the sheet of material being resistant to chemical fluid attack so that spills deposited upon the upper surface are contained on the upper surface; (b) a peripheral bead that includes a foldable portion that extends around the expansive sheet of material, said bead including an elongated tensile member and a folded portion that holds the elongated tensile member to the absorbent sheet of material; (c) a connection that joins the peripheral bead to the expansive sheet of material in a configuration that envelops the tensile member with the foldable portion; (d) wherein the elongated tensile member can be moved between “open” and “folded” portions, wherein the tensile member subjects the expansive sheet of material to tension in said open position that maximizes the circumference of the expansive sheet of material, and wherein in said folded position the tensile member folds to provide multiple loops positioned next to each other and generally abutting.
 12. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 11 wherein the tensile member is of a metal material.
 13. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 12 wherein the tensile member is steel.
 14. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 11 wherein the expansive sheet of material includes a layer of polypropylene material.
 15. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 11 wherein the connection includes stitching.
 16. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 13 wherein the tensile member is a spring steel strip of material.
 17. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 14 wherein the sheet of material includes a layer of a polypropylene-universal material.
 18. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 11 wherein the layers includes a polymeric material.
 19. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 11 wherein the layers include at least one polymeric layer.
 20. The portable chemical spill control device of claim 11 wherein the layers include at least one polymeric layer and at least one absorbent layer. 